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“Early Suva: Fijian market, Basil Thomson collection c1892” Source: Fiji Museum 1/2/6.13E/23
Suva Municipal Market

The market has been a vibrant meeting place for Suva residents and visitors to buy fresh fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, yaqona and traditional wares. The original Suva market was located near Pier Street, next to the Queen’s Wharf. It was moved to Cumming Street in the early 1900s until a new market was constructed at the present location between Harris Road and Rodwell Road in 1949.

"Laucala Bay Secondary School Classroom". Source Shivani, 1991, LAUCALAN magazine
Laucala Bay Secondary School

Laucala Bay Secondary began as a demonstration school for University of the South Pacific teacher trainees in 1972. Many Suva students will remember it as the site of the N.Z.U.E. Examinations. The school motto was “In Omnia Paratus” meaning “Be prepared for all things”. LBSS was closed in 2015.

An example of diagrams at the Nasonini Battery outlining how to use the defensive equipment, photographed in 2016 and partially defaced by graffiti (taken from Global Archaeology).
Nasonini Gun Battery

The gun battery now nestled within the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat’s main premises has deteriorated like its sister structure in Veiuto, with it also existing in less-than-ideal conditions. However, only one of its guns remains in it (broken up into pieces, unfortunately) and one of its three emplacements has been demolished so a residence for the High Commissioner of New Zealand could be built in its stead.

“Suva Pier, c.1880s” Source: Fiji Museum P32.5/77
Queen's Wharf

Queen’s wharf was originally the main wharf for Suva. It was connected to Pier Street before the area underwent land reclamation works. It was dismantled in 1921 and replaced by the larger King’s Wharf at the present site in Walu Bay.

Remnants of the Veiuto Battery in 2012 (taken from Nebraska Anthropologist and researcher Allison Young).
Veiuto Gun Battery

The gun battery now nestled within the Veiuto Parliament House compound was constructed in 1939-40 to protect the capital’s coast. Today the battery has deteriorated somewhat, existing in less-than-ideal conditions. Its guns have been taken away and a phone tower has been mounted within a part of its remains.

“Swimming Baths Suva, About 1930” Source: Fiji Musuem P32.4/17
Suva Olympic Pool

The Suva Olympic Pool is the oldest colonial pool in Fiji. Built in 1925 it was originally called the Suva Sea Baths. It has since hosted countless swimming competitions, including the first Pacific Games.

“Wreck of the Syria Memorial, Nausori” Source: Nicholas Halter 2012
Wreck of the Syria Memorial, Nausori

The monument at Nausori was built in memory of people who died aboard the Indian immigrant ship Syria when it was wrecked on Nasilai reef in 1884. It was one of the worst maritime disasters in Fiji history - 59 people died in the tragedy.

“Saint Francis Xavier Church”, 2016, Source: Google maps
St Francis Xavier Church, Ra

The Church of St Francis Xavier is a popular tourist attraction for its mural of a black Christ which blends Christian motifs with elements of Fijian tradition and culture.

“The burenivanua in the centre of Sorokoba. The house is the official residence of the Tui Ba. It was rebuilt according to traditional designs atop the original yavu, but with modern materials” Source: Nicholas halter 2018.
Sorokoba Village, Ba

Sorokoba is located 3km north of Ba town and is the seat of the Tui Ba (paramount chief of Ba).

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Website content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. All material used on this site retains the original Creative Commons Licences and can only be re-used under their respective licences. Note that corporate logos (such as the Fijian History logo) and images used in some collections and branding are specifically excluded from the Creative Commons Attribution Licence, and may not be reproduced under any circumstances without the express written permission of the copyright holders.

Fijian History © 2018 - The University of the South Pacific
About

This project was a collaborative effort by staff and students of The University of the South Pacific to document some of the historic sites of Fiji.

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